Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: To Meurso Mountain (3)
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Kiiiiing―
The cold attacked from the extremities of the body first.
It felt like tiny dwarves addicted to human flesh were sawing at the tip of his nose, his fingertips, and his toes.
"Ughhh..."
The prisoners groaned like ghosts as they pulled the supply wagons.
Morning brought blizzards.
Noon brought snowstorms.
Night brought hellish cold.
Each time, Federback distributed relief supplies without restraint.
Matches and firewood, rat meat, dried fruit, fur boots and gloves, thick cloaks...
Of course, their prices were as murderous as the cold itself.
But the prisoners had no choice but to buy them.
'Buy only the essentials at the start.'
'Winter gear lasts once you get it.'
'After that, just survive on one meal a day.'
The prisoners bought winter gear first and then rationed out food sparingly.
Who was it that said humans are animals of adaptation?
Before long, the prisoners started saving money.
At first, they spent every coin they had on the cold and hunger, but once those were somewhat addressed, even this grueling labor became bearable.
'This is money I stashed away—can't blow it here.'
'I'll survive, get pardoned, and live large off my hidden assets.'
'I was crazy. Spent too much early on. Fell for that young master's silver tongue... From now on, I'll save...'
When their backs were warm and bellies full again, greed reared its head.
The prisoners were dreaming vain dreams once more.
But.
"It's about time they showed up."
Federback had seen through all their schemes.
Sure enough, eerie movements were spotted on both flanks of the wagon train crossing the central snowfield.
A few sharp-eyed prisoners began to tremble.
"M-monsters! Monsters!"
Shadows were approaching from the distant forest across the snowfield.
Frost wolves.
Fanged beasts that roamed in packs through the freezing blizzards.
These savage predators had caught the prisoners' scent.
The prisoners froze at the monsters' movements, as if they wondered what these lumps of meat were doing here.
And then.
Death Charges!
A frost wolf's fangs sank toward a prisoner's nape.
Right then.
Snap―
The frost wolf charging with jaws wide flew decapitated.
"Finally, the mutts are in sight. We've reached the mountain's foothills."
Federback stood holding a sword as white as snow.
The blood splattered on his pale skin and white hair suited his infamous title of Blood-White Lily perfectly.
"Light torches and maintain formation. They come all at once when they swarm."
And just as he said.
[Yelp! Yelp! Yelp!]
[Kraaak! Gaaaak!]
[Grrrrrr...]
The monster assault began.
They circled the prisoners, baring their fangs.
The prisoners were terrified.
Right then.
Flutter―
The curtain on the last supply wagon was pulled back.
Federback pointed inside the wagon.
"You've all been sick of nothing but fur clothes and food, so I'm unveiling a new auction item."
There, spears, swords, and shields were piled high.
"A Northern warrior guards his own body. How about it? Special blood discount right now. Spear, sword, shield—full set for just 10 million gold. Individually, 5 million each."
"......"
The prisoners' jaws dropped.
Right then, one prisoner shot his hand up.
"I'll buy! Use the credit I prepaid last time for instant purchase!"
It was the goatee Sancho.
Federback nodded.
"You've bought often, so your credit's built up nicely. Use it?"
"Yes, please!"
"Good. Spear, sword, shield—8 million gold."
Despite the 10,000-fold rip-off, Sancho bowed and scraped as he took the spear, sword, and shield.
The other prisoners tilted their heads, wondering if Sancho had lost his mind.
Flash!
A venomous glint flashed in Sancho's eyes as he gripped them.
"Heh heh heh—Young Master Federback. You've let your guard down. Giving fangs and claws back to a beast!"
Finishing his words, Sancho whirled around, spear raised at Federback.
"You'll regret arming me...!?"
Suddenly, Sancho's eyes went wide.
A white aura gathered at the tip of Federback's sword.
The same aura that had severed the frost wolf's neck in one strike moments ago.
Federback narrowed his eyes.
"Regret what, exactly?"
"Th-that..."
Cold sweat poured from Sancho.
Then, with a resolute expression, he spun back toward the frost wolves before him and thrust his spear.
"I'll make those damned frost wolves regret it! For Lord Federback!"
The frost wolves in front of Sancho leaped back.
Indeed, humans grow stronger with something in hand.
Seeing Sancho drive off the frost wolves, the prisoners' eyes changed.
"I-I'll buy too!"
"Just two shields for me!"
"Uwaaah, gimme a spear, armor, helmet...!"
Sales soared once more.
At that moment, in Meursault Castle.
A man stood atop a high spire, gazing at the Northern Mountains.
Coarse features, deep eyes.
Eyes with a sharp black-and-white contrast scanned the base of the distant mountains.
Behind him stood two women.
One was a knightess with a well-trained body and a cold demeanor.
The other was a woman with a languid expression, her curvaceous figure on full display.
Cardina and Rorschach.
Cardina spoke first.
"A letter arrived from Federback on the Meurso Mountain expedition. Aside from a slight drop in prisoner numbers, no issues."
Rorschach continued.
"I received one from Young Master too. The prisoners have volunteered to surrender their hidden assets. All processed as donations."
Cardina's eyebrow twitched.
"The hundred prisoners Federback took are all venomous scum, and they're donating their hidden assets willingly?"
"Yes. Letters with locations and donation intents are still coming in."
"He must trust you quite a bit. He doesn't write often."
"Really? He sent me one every three days."
"...... Those were business matters."
"He asked about my well-being a few times too. So warm."
"Hmm—Legal Officer Rorschach is more sentimental than expected."
"Compared to Execution Officer Cardina's warmth and mercy, it's nothing."
"......"
"......"
Cardina narrowed one eye at Rorschach.
Rorschach smiled sweetly back at Cardina.
Right then.
"Legal Officer Rorschach."
Soleil spoke.
Rorschach bowed her head.
"Yes."
"Do you harbor no grudge against Meursault?"
"......"
Rorschach's smile faded at Soleil's words.
Soleil turned to face her.
"My incompetence let rogues run rampant without day or night. You and your parents were sacrificed because of it. If only I'd been more capable..."
Finishing, Soleil bowed to Rorschach.
"I'm truly sorry. I should have apologized long ago."
"Father!"
"Cardina, stay out of it."
Cardina tried to speak, but Soleil stopped her.
"......"
Rorschach stood silently, her expression subtle.
Finally, she spoke.
"I did resent it once."
"......"
"But now I've forgotten it all."
"......?"
Soleil and Cardina tilted their heads.
Rorschach smiled brightly.
"The beer some young master of the Meursault House gave me had a higher proof than expected. I black out when I drink."
"......"
Soleil slowly closed his eyes.
Then murmured softly.
"Federback. That boy shames me in every way. They say a tiger sire sires no dog sons, but perhaps a dog father can have tiger sons."
Soleil then addressed Cardina and Rorschach.
"I called you here today for a matter we must discuss together."
"......?"
Cardina and Rorschach looked puzzled at Soleil.
Cardina handled lawmaking and enforcement, Rorschach administration and logistics—their domains rarely overlapped.
But their faces hardened at Soleil's next words.
"Three of the North's five fingers are moving."
"......!"
Cardina, who knew the Northern situation inside out, reacted first.
"Portofino, Furosange, Modificata. Them?"
"Yes. Everyone but Levarb and Daytona."
Soleil set merchant reports on the desk.
They detailed the military activities of the Portofino, Furosange, and Modificata Houses.
Once called the Meursault's five fingers—the North's great houses.
Now, rabid hounds even their masters couldn't recognize.
Soleil said.
"I don't want to remain a shameful father or incompetent patriarch when Federback returns."
"......"
Cardina and Rorschach's eyes gleamed in unison.
They shared Soleil's thoughts exactly.
"Can't lose to my little brother. Time for big sis to set an example."
"A chance to earn Young Master Federback's recognition. Time to prove my worth."
Their gazes met once more.
A truly odd standoff.